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The 6-10 New York Jets have clearly flown off course. The new Jets GM, whoever finally ends up with the job, will be walking into a laundry list of issues the minute those Florham Park doors open. Steering the overall product on the field back to Super Bowl contender status won’t be easy. The following are the keys to the foundation. Questions that the new head honcho upstairs must answer correctly and swiftly before the rest of the cracks are filled in.

If Rex stays, which Rex should it be?

Big Rex was loud, boastful, cocky, and successful for two out of his first three seasons. Little Rex in 2012, was not. Ryan has to be given the green light on optimizing his own abilities but the immediate question is which Rex best fits the new 2013 Jets.

Mark Sanchez

“The Sanchise” is an even bigger uncertainty. Can #6 find his confidence again in New York, and still have room to grow out of a game manager’s role? Or is he just a career backup at best elsewhere?

Sanchez’s contract, one that awards him 8 Million in 2013 makes his case a tricky one. The Jets could bring in a viable vet to compete for the job, or follow the advice from one Wall Street Journal piece written last week that broke winning formulas for NFL teams. One that included eating “dead money” in the name of turning the page.

The Jets have to get the QB situation settled here once and for all. Forget Rex’s tattoo’d faith in Sanchez. Too many games have been lost, and not enough have been won at the position over the past two seasons.

Revis, Keller and Greene

Sorry Jets fans but it’s true and you all know it. Revis Island may have enough trade value to aid the Jets need for fast growth on offense all by himself. Dustin Keller was useless all year and Shonn Greene can’t be any better than he was in 2012. The new GM’s overall opinion regarding how much roster-gutting is warranted will provide clues into how these key Jet vets may be treated.

Coordinators: Rex’s Friends or Foes

From Shotty to Sparano, playcalling has been a source of irritation for the Jets under Ryan. Mike Pettine opted not to re-up on his deal.

The next set of coordinators are either going to be guys that Ryan wants to go down fighting with, or handpicked choices by the GM. Perhaps to be HC’s in waiting. After all, it will be tough to sell a potential coordinator on a “win or else” one year scenario. Enticing candidates with the possibility about becoming the next HC, should Ryan struggle in 2013, may be a better sell in order to get them into the building.

Much of these soon to be top priorities will be determined by what the purpose of 2013 will be for the new Jets general manager. Ryan must win now, but the incoming folks who will call the shots upstairs, don’t necessarily have to.